The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-10-28


have gone in also, and now be
crouching upon the hearth A
faint red glare from the dying fire
threw out the shape Of human be-
ing bending over it. TrembIingly
| whispered the name of Aunt ClOe,
and INSTANTLY the creature cOntrcnt-
ed me wrapped in what seemed to
me-, burial clothes, and the most un-
earthly yiSage l ever beheld. 1
gave one cry OF terror and fell back
wards across Aunt ClOe, almost
causing the death of that ancient
dame, as she Informed me after
wards. When at last lights were
brought, and restoratIves used
nothing could be found aud the
haunt had disappeared. There was
no way in which we could account
for the apparition, aud Aunt Cloe
suggested speedy removal from
the house.
"Oh, no. said Ted, "let us sit up
and watch for its return"
just then the chickens began to
crow for day, and with a look of re-
lief Aunt ClOe informed US that we
were safe now as chants" couldn't
stand too much light, and under
this soothing assurance wo closed
our tired eyes and soon slept.
In the early hours of morning,
when an almost untasted breakfast
stood before us, there came call
at the gate, and Aunt Oloe hurried
out, Overjoyed, she said, "to hear
the sound of flesh and blood after
such night of teTrors." Two horse
men in quest of a crazy man that
had escaped from uelghhoring
town. They SAID that lie had been
seen in the neighborhood, aud if no
one objected they would like to look
about the harn and see if any trace
Of him could be found.
"Gracious goodness, Miss, do
come out dis mint; heah's two
men wantin' to ketch crazy lun-
attic in de very yard, and it amt
bad nuff fur de hous' to be hanted
and de like"
The men laughed good naturedly
aud rode into the yard, passing
around the house Under tho eastern
windows. A sudden gust of wind
blew the hat of the second rider
across the yard, and following it
down to the low fence, be glanced
upward toward the roof as he
placed his hat upon his head, and
o !! he saw seated in the attic win
Tow, with his gnunt limbs extended
IN the sunshine, the object of their
search. 1t is needless to mention
the dismay this discovery made in
our midst. The men coaxed him to
come down. aud when he stood at
the foot of the stairs he carried
spade over hlS left shoulder, and a
rusty gun in his right hand. Aunt
ClOe threw her apron over her head
and wept aloud, as she made her
way to the kitchen, too much over
come to remember the "hant.' Pat
elnng to my garments in terror,
while Ted held a chair III front of
him. The poor, crazy mau had
found easy access from the corner
If the low roof of the pOarch. His |
,aptOrs explained that his mind had
Jeen injured by stroke in the
head, by a spade in the hands of a
as the two had been
lIgging for hidden treasures, sup |
,osed 10 be buried somewhere along
lie coast. Since that time he had
wandered about carrying a spade,
md from time to time spending the
one hours of the night in hunting
or the hidden gold.
"Laws, sir, you dOH't say its hid
N dis lan', does yeri' said Aunt
)loe as she hurried in, "case it it is
D dis hn', l want you to shet up
at crazy man bard and tight, aud
oan low him prowlin' 'roun' heah,
ase Miss an NELL do our own
iggin'."
The men soon rode away, carry.
" the poor demented creature
Ith them. Our little family kept
usy during the day, what with
stening to Aunt Cloe's plans for
nearthing the treasure aud getting
ur house in order. The air grew
hilIy, aud when the fire was light
i we almost forgot to fear that the
razy man might return. The broad
tones of the hearth were broken
ere aud there and Aunt Cloe, with
room in hand, swept to her hearts ]
,utent until Ted, longing to en- I
10y his idle hands, proposed that
,ey should take mp aud relay the ,
earth. Strange to say the ancient I
anne agreed and the work began. ,
he dust came up in clouds aud |
lrpet, rug and taces suffered alike, 4
len during a pause given to sneez- 9
Ig, coughing and wiping of eyes,
hen Aunt Cloe was yowIng she /
ould never begin another such a !
ID and be lead by the nose by ,
ere chap, an exclamation OF de-
ght burst from Ted, as be lifted
1t the dust With both hands, on (
is knees, be was peering into an {
pening. "a iarl a jar ! l've found {
jar" aud be pounded on the metal
over With both hands. The old
sgress, all trembling with excite
ent, succeeded with the help Of
10 shovel in priziug the jar out.
was abouttwelve iuchesin height
ID covered with dust and ashes.
ed chOked down in lit Of c0ngh-
y frnln hlnMinn of Lha lnsl nnll